Aerial Drone Navigation System with Lidar Mapping

This Patent Application is a Continuation and claims priority to U.S. Patent Application entitled “AN AERIAL DRONE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH LIDAR MAPPING”, Ser. No. 18/801,759 filed on Aug. 13, 2024, by Edmond A. DeFrank et. al., which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 12,062,107 issued on Aug. 13, 2024, entitled: “SOCIAL DISTANCING METHODS AND DEVICES”, having U.S. Ser. No. 18/227,961 filed on Jul. 30, 2023, filed by Edmond A. DeFrank et. al., which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Pat. No. 11,715,168 issued on Aug. 1, 2023. entitled: “SOCIAL DISTANCING METHODS AND DEVICES”, having U.S. Ser. No. 17/887,449 filed on Aug. 13, 2022 filed by Edmond A. DeFrank et. al., which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Pat. No. 11,414,189 issued on Aug. 16, 2022, entitled: “SOCIAL DISTANCING METHODS AND DEVICES”, having U.S. Ser. No. 17/232,133 filed on Apr. 15, 2021 filed by Edmond A. DeFrank et. al., which is based on expired U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/010,650 filed Apr. 15, 2020, entitled “SOCIAL DISTANCING METHODS AND DEVICES”, filed by Edmond A. DeFrank et. al., all the U.S. Patents and Applications being incorporated herein by reference.

Crisis conditions make it difficult for people to remain compliant with orders from public authorities. Finding ways to deal with restrictions and still cope with the realities of daily life. Protecting themselves from the actions of others and any dangers they may represent. Being thoughtful of yet others that may be having a more difficult time dealing with the issues confronting them. Obeying orders to report those that are intentionally not obeying orders of authorities and putting others in danger.

In a following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific example in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It should be noted that the descriptions that follow, for example, in terms of a social distancing method and devices is described for illustrative purposes and the underlying system can apply to any number and multiple types of digital applications. In one embodiment of the present invention, the social distancing method and devices can be configured using cell signals for determining a useris getting within 6 feet of another person. The social distancing method and devices can be configured to include a facial mask coupled to a user's cell phone configured to initiate protection devices and can be configured to include signaling alerts to others, including enforcement agencies, that the useris entering a restricted area using the present invention.

shows for illustrative purposes only an example of a social distancing application of one embodiment.shows a social distancing applicationusing cell signals for determining when a useris getting within 6 feet of another person. In one embodiment, the user's cell phonewith the social distancing applicationis receiving cell signals,, andfrom nearby cell towers,and. The social distancing applicationis configured for using triangulation for pinpointing the user's physical location.also shows a user's 6 ft. social distancing perimeterand a user's cell phone sending and receiving signals. Showing inis the other person, the other person's cell phone, the other person's 6 ft.social distancing perimeter, and the other person's cell phone sending and receiving signals. The social distancing applicationcan detect the other person's cell phone signals even when the other person's phone does not have the social distancing application.

The social distancing applicationis also configured for receiving signals,, andfrom nearby cell towers,andand triangulation for pinpointing another person's cell phone in proximity within a range of 3 to 5 meters from the user's cell phone. The social distancing applicationis configured for using the user's cell phonemagnetometer to calculate the direction to the other person's cell phone. In this example, the other person is closing in on the user's location as determined by the social distancing application. A text message is generated and displayed on the user's cell phonedirecting the userto change their path to the left to avoid coming within 6 feet of the other persons.

This method of maintaining a safe social distance from other people functions outdoors and inside buildings, for example, grocery stores and markets where a useris shopping for essential food supplies, medical offices where a usermay be keeping an appointment with their doctor, government office for attending to an agency request. This method of maintaining a safe social distance from other people functions outdoors, for example, while a useris going for a walk to exercise and relieve stress from a job furlough due to a virus outbreak, natural disaster, or other cause.

In yet another embodiment the same functions are performed using near-field communication transceiver signals from other cell phones in proximity to the user's cell phone. The social distancing applicationis configured for using radio-frequency identification (RFID) for performing the same functions in still another embodiment.

In still another embodiment, the social distancing applicationis configured for using the video function of the user's cell phonein the background for capturing the relative movements of other people in proximity of the user's cell phone. The social distancing applicationis configured for continuously measuring the height and other biometric characteristics of the other persons and calculating any change in the calculated measurement for determining if any of the other persons are closing in on the userand generating a text message and displaying on the user's cell phoneto change their direction of movement or position to avoid coming within 6 feet of the other person(s) based on the directions determined by the user's cell phonemagnetometer. The embodiments provide the userwith alternative means for determining their proximity to other people to maintain appropriate social distancing for adapting to conditions both outdoors and inside buildings of one embodiment.

In another embodiment, the social distancing applicationis configured for analyzing the user's supplies using a photo taken with the cell phone camera. The supplies photos are processed using OCR and a database of images of usersupplies inputted by the userto determine the current inventory of supplies and prepare an essential shopping list. The social distancing applicationalso performs a search of nearby stores to determine the best advertised prices to advise the useron probable costs of the essential supplies purchases. The social distancing applicationalso prepares a suggested travel route to conserve fuel and time. The social distancing applicationalso searches for current live traffic reports to estimate the number of vehicles in proximity to the stores to anticipate potential crowded shopping at those stores. The social distancing applicationperiodically researches the live traffic reporting to adjust the estimates of potential crowded shopping at those stores. The social distancing applicationalso checks the crowd based self-reporting to check crowding levels reported at those stores and availability of the essentials supplies at those stores. The availability of the essential supplies at those stores can be self-reported by, for example, a stock boy currently stocking the shelves with toilet paper, eggs, and other items difficult to find. Food stores may begin using the social distancing applicationfor notifying, for example, elderly users of less congested shopping hours and when essential items are available.

In another embodiment, the social distancing applicationchecks the need for essential supplies with friends and family members to reduce the number and frequency of each other having to make trips away from home. The goal is to avoid increasing their potential exposure to other people, particularly those friends and family members at higher risk of getting infected or suffering more severe consequences of an infection. In another embodiment, the social distancing applicationchecks the conditions detected of friends and family members wearing a protective mask to assist them in case they show any symptoms or adverse conditions. The user's social distancing applicationdetects nearby Bluetooth phones, devices and apps indicating the approximate distance and direction even when the other person's phone does not have the social distancing application.

The social distancing applicationis configured to include features and devices for facial recognition and detect biometric characteristics of a person and their movements. For example, the facial recognition can determine whether the person is known to the user from images of friends, family members and business associates to alert the user that the particular person is approaching and to offer a greeting. In another example, the facial recognition is used to assess the emotional state of the nearby person. For example, do they have a worried look, a happy expression, do they appear angry, does their expression reflect a threat to the user. In another example, the system may evaluate whether the detected biometric characteristics and movement patterns of an individual suggest that the person is running toward the user, casually walking past the user, or exhibiting behavior indicative of a potential threat.

The social distancing applicationis configured to operate free of a connected wire to another device. The social distancing applicationis configured to assist the user with communications, apps, and learning about various issues including any crisis and the details that may be affecting the user. The social distancing applicationis configured for incorporating artificial intelligence, augmented reality, mixed reality, and other features available for adjusting to changes in their daily routine that may be imposed for dealing with a crisis or just normal everyday life.

The social distancing applicationis configured to include voice recognition. Voice recognition is used for identifying the user and unlocking the function of the social distancing application. Voice recognition is used for identifying other people near the user.

The social distancing applicationis configured in another embodiment to activate a plurality of ultraviolet lights incorporated into wearable apparel. The plurality of ultraviolet lights is configured to include individual rechargeable batteries. The wearing apparel when not being worn can be placed on a hanger and hung inside a wireless recharging station configured as a garment bag that can be hung inside a clothes closets, armoires, and wardrobe closets. The wireless recharging station garment bag is plugged into a nearby electrical outlet using wireless charging coils to recharge the rechargeable batteries of the plurality of ultraviolet lights.

The plurality of ultraviolet lights and their individual rechargeable batteries may be nano scaled and woven into the fabric of the wearable apparel. The social distancing applicationis configured to include transmission of a signal to the wearable apparel to activate the plurality of ultraviolet lights when another person comes within a 6 ft. distance of the user. The projected ultraviolet light of the plurality of ultraviolet lights will kill air borne viruses and other pathogens. Once the other person moves away from the userthe social distancing applicationwill transmit a signal to the plurality of ultraviolet lights to turn off of one embodiment.

In another embodiment, nano particles of copper metal can be embedded into the wearable apparel to add an additional level of protection and kill, for example, the Coronavirus coming in contact with the wearable apparel and prevent the user from contaminating other surfaces and body areas with viruses that would cling to a piece apparel without protective devices. In one embodiment, the 6 ft. social distance protective zone can be adjusted to, for example, 13 ft. as the virus can be expelled in aerosols up to 13 feet.

Data shows the virus is tracked on shoes and may be a way the virus is spreading. In one embodiment, a clean liquid is used to spray nano particles of copper metal onto the soles of shoes and other exposed shoe surfaces. This would kill the viruses on contact. In another embodiment, a shoe mat is configured with the nano particles of copper metal sprayed onto both sides and edges of the shoe mat. The user places a shot mat on the floors of their vehicles to kill viruses and prevent them from contaminating the vehicle. The user also sprays the seats and exposed surfaces of the vehicle interior with the nano particles of copper metal spray. The user positions a nanoparticle copper-coated shoe mat at the exterior entry points of their home and office, as well as an additional mat on the interior floor adjacent to these entry points, for the purpose of removing footwear and placing it on the interior shoe mat of one embodiment.

In another embodiment, the social distancing applicationis configured to track and store the user's movements and of person's cell phones IP addresses within the 6 ft. social distance as adjusted by health departments. This information is used to determine if the user is in contact with the same individuals repeatedly and it may indicate these are people in their family. The information is used to determine if the user is in contact with different people repeatedly and it may indicate they may be violating stay at home restrictions.

Should the user test positive for an infection, for example, the Coronavirus, the medical personal performing the test and treating the user can download the tracked and stored IP address information for identifying the persons that had come in contact with the infected user to notify them that they need to be tested and to limit their contact with others. The cell phone IP address contact tracing is used to gather the name and contact information for notifying and testing those in contact with the infected user.

The crisis enforcement agency can review the tracked and stored information from the infected user's social distancing applicationto determine if the user was repeatedly violating the social distancing restrictions perhaps intentionally and take appropriate action. The enforcement agency will also check the locations visited by the infected user. The locations check is to determine any correlation of the spread of the infection in those locations with the frequency and numbers of people contacted by the infected user. If a statistically high correlation exists should the infected user recover, they may be charged with spreading the infection and fined and ordered to a house arrest with a GPS ankle monitor of one embodiment.

shows for illustrative purposes only an example of signaling alerts to others including enforcement agencies that the user is entering a restricted area of one embodiment.shows another user driving that user's carinto a recreational parkfor hiking and biking trailuse. Another user is ignoring the signwhich clearly notifies anyone approaching that the park is closed until further notice and do not enter. Disregarding the notice is more than a violation of law but also puts other people they come in contact with in danger of becoming infected with a virus or other contagion. Cooperating with the authorities, obeying laws and the moral responsibility of protecting each other from needless and reckless behavior during a crisis, be it a contagion or natural disaster carries accountability of individuals who choose to act contrary to reasonable orders for any given situation.

The social distancing applicationis configured for automatically updating the location and GPS coordinates of restricted facilities. In this example, the social distancing applicationusing another user's cell phone GPS coordinates determines another user has entered into a restricted area. The social distancing applicationis configured for storing contact information for law enforcement and other appropriate agencies with the responsibility of policing the restrictions of identified areas.

The social distancing applicationautomatically sendsa text message and emailto the contact information of the local sheriff's stationand a text message and emailto the park ranger's officevia satelliteconnectivity features of the social distancing application. The text message and email and contains the identification of the another user from the information on another user's cell phone. The authorities can then proceed to take what they deem to be the appropriate actions to alleviate the potential threat to others of one embodiment.

The social distancing applicationis also used to report another user to enforcement agencies, as requested by officials, people not wearing masks, opening non-essential business, encouraging, and forming assemblies of large groups of people and other violations of an officially declared crisis. The usersocial distancing applicationwill include contact information for reporting people showing symptoms, for example, running a fever, coughing and other symptoms of an infection, for example, Covid-19, Influenza and other infectious diseases.

The social distancing applicationwill gather current information on hot spots where infection rates are high to inform all users to stay away from those hot spots. The social distancing applicationwill assist all users with self-reporting of users inputting, for example, crowded stores to avoid, where to find supplies in short supply including, for example, toilet paper, bottled water, disinfectants, hand sanitizer, eggs, and other items difficult to find. One user may need assistance in picking up those same supplies and a usercan volunteer to purchase the needed supplies for the other user and get reimbursed upon their non-contact delivery.

The crowd based participation in using the social distancing applicationwill allow every user to better comply with official regulations and orders, keep each other informed of dangerous locations, reporting others that ignore the regulations and orders that put everyone at greater risk, and assist each other in getting supplies to be able to maintain lock-downs and self-isolating and self-quarantining of one embodiment.

shows for illustrative purposes only an example of a facial mask wirelessly coupled to a user's cell phone configured to initiate protection devices partof one embodiment.shows a protective maskworn by a userofto protect the wearer from other people infecting the userofwith their coughs, sneezes, and other nasal and oral discharges possibly containing airborne viruses and bacteria. The nose bridgeis normally a metal rod or band that the userofcan bend to better conform to the shape of the nose. The protective maskis configured to have a nose bridgewith a container conforming to a hollow elongated cavitymade with a flexible plastic for holding a liquid anti-microbial disinfectant.

The liquid anti-microbial disinfectant includes hypochlorous acid. Hypochlorous acid is the substance your white blood cells produce to fight off infections. Hypochlorous acid is FDA approved, safe, non-irritant with no harmful chemicals, fumes, or residues. Hypochlorous acid is made with three ingredients: salt, water and vinegar and is processed with electrolysis.

The fabric is configured with downward oriented foldsto direct air flow from at least one micro fan position on the interior of the protective mask. The at least one micro fan positioned on the interior of the protective mask creates a positive pressure to prevent outside air from entering the at least one protective mask. The fabric also includes an antimicrobial coating on the inside and outside surfaces of the fabric, casing edging, straps, and elastic bands of the protective maskof one embodiment.

The protective maskis configured with flexible rechargeable batteries that can be recharged using a wireless charging platform. The protective maskis configured to include biological sensors to detect viruses and bacteria and alert the user. The protective maskis configured to track the movements of userof, monitoring when the user leaves their home and identifying the destinations they travel to in order to assess whether those destinations are classified as essential or not.

The protective maskis configured to include internet, WIFI, and satellite connectivity to maintain a digital electronic coupling with the social distancing applicationinstalled on the user's cell phoneof. The protective maskwill transmit from a digital transceiver a signal to the social distancing applicationofwhen the userofis wearing the protective mask. The protective maskis configured with temperature sensors to detect if the userofis running a fever, an air flow sensor to detect when the userofis coughing and if the userofis having any trouble breathing, a humidity senor to detect the moisture content of the user's respiration to detect dry mouth conditions, and a heart rate sensor to detect the user's pulse and coronary vital signs. In one embodiment, the protective maskis configured with, for example, a Coronavirus testing sensor to detect if the userofis infected and alerting the userofof the infection and suggesting they immediately contact their doctor. The protective maskis configured to include at least one digital camera.

The protective maskis configured to include at least one digital processor and at least one memory device. The protective maskis configured to transmit and store all photos, videos, and audible sounds including voices on a cloud storage system. In the event the protective maskis lost or stolen the user can recover the stored data from the cloud onto a personal computer or replacement protective mask.

The protective maskis configured to include features and devices for facial recognition and detect biometric characteristics of a person and their movements. For example, the facial recognition can determine whether the person is known to the user from images of friends, family members, and business associates to alert the user that the particular person is approaching and to offer a greeting. In another example, the facial recognition is used to assess the emotional state of the nearby person. For example, do they have a worried look, a happy expression, do they appear angry, does their expression reflect a threat to the user. In one example, the system may analyze the detected biometric characteristics and movement patterns of an individual to determine whether the person is running toward the user, casually walking past the user, and whether their behavior indicates a potential threat to the user. The protective maskis configured to operate free of connected wire to another device other than the pair of glassesof.

The protective maskis configured to assist the user with communications, apps, and learning about various issues including any crisis and the details that may be affecting the user. The protective maskis configured for incorporating artificial intelligence, augmented reality, mixed reality, and other features available for adjusting to changes in their daily routine that may be imposed for dealing with a crisis or just normal everyday life. The protective maskis configured to include voice recognition. Voice recognition is used for identifying the user and unlocking the function of the protective mask. Voice recognition is used for identifying other people near the user.

In one embodiment, nano particles of the copper metal are embedded into the protective maskfabric. Copper is shown to kill Coronavirus. The embedded nano particles of copper metal increase the level of protection to the user wearing the protective mask.

shows for illustrative purposes only an example of a facial mask wirelessly coupled to a user's cell phone configured to initiate protection devices partof one embodiment.shows a userwearing the protective mask. A measured amount of the liquid anti-microbial disinfectant is sprayed outwardas a vaporusing at least one nozzleto coat the front of the mask when the social distancing applicationofdetermines the useris being approached by another person within the 6 ft. social distancing perimeter of one embodiment.

shows for illustrative purposes only an example of a facial mask wirelessly coupled to a user's cell phone configured to initiate protection devices partof one embodiment.shows a cross section of the frontand rearof the protective maskofincluding the hollow elongated cavityand downward oriented folds. Also shown inare a plurality of ultraviolet (UV) led lightscoupled on the interior of the protective maskofand oriented toward the front of the protective maskofto illuminate the fabric for killing any virus or bacteria entering from the outside of the protective maskof.

The protective maskofis configured to include at least one micro fanfor creating positive air pressure within the interior of the protective maskoffor preventing airborne viruses and bacteria from infiltrating the barrier created by the protective maskof. The downward oriented foldsdirect the air flow downwardon the exterior of the protective maskofto prevent blowing any airborne viruses and bacteria outward to another person of one embodiment.

In one embodiment, the at least one micro fanis configured to include a heating element to increase the temperature of the air inside the protective mask. Studies have been reported, for example, that the Coronavirus lives longer in cold conditions and hot conditions kills the Coronavirus much faster than cold conditions. The at least one micro fanheated air will reduce the time the Coronavirus lives.

Additionally, the social distancing applicationofgathers the ambient temperature at the user's location. The social distancing applicationof, calculates an appropriate temperature setting for the at least one micro fanwith integrated heaters. This setting is configured to generate a temperature gradient that, through heat transfer with the fabric of the protective maskof, produces a heated air barrier. This barrier aids in neutralizing airborne viruses and creates an upward airflow that directs viral particles away from the user. Also, the air pressure created by the at least one micro faninside the protective maskofwill pass through the protective maskoffabric forcing the ambient air carrying any viruses further away from the user adding to an increase in the protection provided the user of one embodiment.

shows for illustrative purposes only an example of a facial mask wirelessly coupled to a user's cell phone configured to initiate protection devices partof one embodiment.shows a cell towertransmitting a GPS signalto a user's cell phone. A useris wearing the protective mask. Showing is the user's 6 ft. social distancing perimeterand the transmitting and receiving signalsof the user's cell phone. The social distancing applicationusing the user's cell phone camera field of viewanalyzes an image of the person approaching the userfor determining if that person is wearing a mask.

A person not wearing a maskis approaching the user. The social distancing applicationtransmits an email and text message including the user's location using the GPS coordinates received by the user's cell phone, date and time, and contains the identification of the userfrom the information on the user's cell phone. Also included in the email and text message is the identification of the approaching person from the information on the approaching person's cell phone if available and sending the image captured using the user's cell phone camera of the approaching person not wearing a mask to the appropriate local enforcement agency to report the non-compliance with the publicly announced orders to wear a mask in public.

The user's cell phone upon determining the approaching person is still getting closer to the usertransmits an alert signalto the protective maskto initiate the protection devices operations of one embodiment. The social distancing applicationactivates physical interventions and not just alert information about social distancing or avoidance violations. The social distancing applicationusing a user's cell phonesets forth in motion an activation of a wearable device (fan mask system, collar of fans, crown of fans, breast plate back plate of fans, for example) which initiates a curtain of protection around the face, eyes, nose, mouth and ears. The curtain of protection is an expulsive force, for example, including subsonic airwaves, ultrasound, laser, a disinfectant counterbalanced aerosol vapor, and UV light.

Iterations can include a wearable fan pushing-expelling a protective circle of force against an aerosolized biological or chemical injurious cloud of vapor that comes within or breaks the specified boundaries set by the application, currently 6 ft. but may vary depending on a type of potentially injurious cloud, vapor, and entity.

The user's cell phonewith the social distancing applicationcan receive and transmit signals from a user's wearable devices. For example, a user may be dressed in clothing that includes wearable sensors for detecting pulse, heartbeat, body temperature, respiration, bodily movements sitting, walking, and running, and body positions including standing, bending, prone, and sitting. The social distancing applicationcan analyze the user's physical condition. Should the user's physical condition analysis indicate, for example, signs of COVID-19 the social distancing applicationcan automatically transmit alerts to friends, family, 911, and emergency services to assist the user should the indications include a lack of movement, difficulty breathing, or a falling change of body position. The emergency alert can automatically include the user's cell phoneGPS location and vital signs. The drone is configured to automatically launch upon receipt of an emergency signal to retransmit the emergency signal to a strong cellular signal strength.

shows for illustrative purposes only an example of a pair of glasses wirelessly coupled to a user's cell phone configured to initiate protection devices of one embodiment.shows a userwearing a pair of glassesin one embodiment coupled to the protective maskwith the downward oriented folds. In another embodiment, the protective maskis wirelessly coupled to the pair of glasses. In yet another embodiment, the pair of glassesmay be worn by a user without wearing the protective mask.

The coupling of the protective maskand the pair of glassesincludes cabling integrated into the mask ties and elastic ear bands. The pair of glasseswhen receiving an alert from the social distancing applicationofthat someone is closing in on the user's position activates a laser light directed to the ground at an approximate 6 ft. distant from the userbased on an angle calculated using the user's approximate height from the GPS elevation data of the userand the ground surface. The laser light will project a radial line in front of the usercovering approximately 180 degrees of arc. The social distancing applicationofwill broadcast using the speaker feature of the cell phone an audible first message to “Please do not violate my space, Thank you”.

Should the approaching person not alter their course to maintain the 6-foot social distance the social distancing applicationofwill make a second audible broadcast to the approaching person to STOP you are getting too close. Stay away. Thank you. At the instant of the beginning of the second audible message the social distancing applicationofactivates at least one bright strobe light coupled to the pair of glasseswhich is directed towards the user's direction of view to project the strobe light flashing towards the approaching person.

Should the second message and strobe light projections not deter the approaching person the social distancing applicationofwill capture an image of the approaching person and transmit an email and text message including the user's location using the GPS coordinates received by the user's cell phone, date and time, containing the identification of the userfrom the information on the user's cell phone and identification of the approaching person from the information on the approaching person's cell phone if available and sending the image captured using the user's cell phone camera of the approaching person not wearing a mask to the appropriate local enforcement agency to report the non-compliance with the publicly announced orders.